AntiSemitism Polish Real Causes Simeon

The Travel Accounts of Simeon of Poland, by Simeon, George A. Bournoutian. 2007

A 17th-Century Polish Armenian Describes Poland’s Armenian Community, and Critiques Jewish Conduct

Simeon was an Armenian who was born and raised in Poland. (p. 16). His travels took him to Constantinople, the Ottoman coastline, Venice, Rome, Alexandria (Egypt), Cairo, the Holy Land, Jerusalem, etc. He provides a wealth of information about these places.

In the Introduction, Bournoutian (pp. 1-2) introduces the reader to the Armenians in Poland. Their center was Lwow (Lviv), which is lavishly described by Simeon. He adds (p. 287): “There are also some Armenians in other cities, such as Kamenets, Yazlovts’ (Iazlovts’), Zamosc, Luts’k’ (Luts’k), and Mankerman (Kiev)…There are also other ancient cities in which Armenians live, such as Belsa (Bil’tsi), Vilna (Vilnius), Volodimir (Volodymyr), and other villages…” (p. 287, 288). He describes Poland’s wars with Tatars, Muslims, and Russians. During his travels, Simeon encountered considerable Islamic intolerance of Christians, along with some exceptions.

THE JEWS

Simeon’s portrayal of Protestants and Jews is entirely negative. For instance, he writes: “In the land of the Franks the Jews are also forbidden to practice any arts or crafts…They cannot be tax-collectors, collect tolls, dues, or anything else; unlike in Poland and Turkey. [In Poland] they [the Jews] hold all these professions in their hands and have seized everything. Whatever affair these impious people engage in, it loses its prosperity, for they are dishonest and hyprocritical.” (p. 154). He adds: “There are 60,000 Jewish household in Egypt. They are all wealthy and well to do. As in Poland, they control everything; the KHARAJ, the customs, collection of revenue, the mint, etc. The very rich among them walk around with ten or twenty bodyguards.” (p. 199).